Feeler mechanism for looms



M. L. STONE. FEELER MECHANISM FOR LOOMS. APPLICATION FILED MAR. 19.1920.

llllll 1,362, 1 1 9, Patented Dec. 14, 1920.

Mum-m UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MELVIN L. STONE, 0F LAWRENCE, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO DRAPER CORPORA-TION, OF HOPEDALE, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OF MAINE.

FEELER MECHANISM FOR LOOMS.

Application filed March 19, 1920.

T 0 all whom it may concern Be it known that I, MELVIN L. STONE, acitizen of the United States, residing at Lawrence, in the county ofEssex and State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Feelerhfechanisms for Looms, of which the following description, in connectionwith the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like characters onthe drawings representing like parts.

This invention relates to feeler mechanisms for looms, and moreparticularly to that type of feeler mechanisms wherein the feeler ismoved longitudinally of the shuttle or along the surface of the bobbinwhen the filling is substantially exhausted, and thereby calls intoaction the replenishing mechanism.

The new feeler mechanism of the presen invention comprises a feelercarrier and an actuator carrier, both of which enter the shuttle on adetecting beat and receive the frontward impact of the surface withinthe shuttle to move them front-wardly. Thefeeler carrier has mountedthereon for movement in. a directionlongitudinally of the shuttle, thefeeler and a finger is connected to the feeler, which, on movement ofthe feeler as described, is placed in a position to engage the actuator'and operatively relate it to the train of mechanism for replenishingfilling as the feeler carrier moves frontwardly. The strain that wouldotherwise-be placed upon the finger by frontward movement of the feelercarrier, if such frontward movement was relied upon to eifect frontwardmovement of the actuator, is overcome by engagement'of the actuatorcarrier with the surface within the shuttle after the finger has movedthe actuator into operative position.

The other features and novel combina' tion of parts will appear from thefollowing description and accompanying drawings of a good, practicalform of the present invention.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the constructionand relation of parts of thepresent feeler mechanism;,

Fig. 2 is an enlarged plan View showing the action of the feelerrnechanism when a working supply of filling is present on a detectingbeat Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 14, 1920.

Serial No. 367,039.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to that of Fig. 2, but showing the action ofthe parts when thefilling is substantially exhausted on a detectingbeat; and

Fig. a is a detached detail, parts being broken away, showing the fingerand its connection with the feeler. The feeler and actuator in thepresent invention are mounted for movement toward and from the front ofthe loom independently, and each is supported by a carrler which may bevariously contrived, two principal forms of carriers being already wellknown in the art, one a pivotallymounted carrier, and the other asliding carrier. Tn the present illustration of the invention, thefeeler and actuator are shown as mounted upon the sliding type ofcarrier, and the carriers themselves are mounted side by side and extendrearwardly to enter the shuttle on each detecting beat to receive theimpact of the surface within the shuttle as the lay moves frontwardly.

Mounted on the loom frame is the stand 1 which may be appropriatelysecured in adjusted position as usual by screws or clamps 2. The stand 1has mounted thereon for reciprocating movement toward and from the frontof the loom the feeler carrier 3 and actuator carrier at which aremounted side by side. The feeler carrier has a frontwardlyextending stem5 andthe actuator. carrier has a similar frontwardly-extending stem 6and appropriate springs 7 and 8 surrounding the respective stems, serveto normally maintain both the carriers in rearward position.

The feeler stand has a guideway 9 into which extends the end of atransmitter 10 which may be of usual character, and is extended from thefeeler mechanism into co operative relation with a train of mechanismfor effecting replenishment when the transmitter 10 is movedfrontwardly' on a detecting beat. This feature of the construction is ofusual character and well understood in the art, and needs no furtherexplanation.

The actuator carrier 4: has pivotally mounted thereon at 11 the actuator12, the front end portion 13 of which is normally held ra-ised by ayielding pin 14: of usual construction, so that should the actuaton'bemoved frontwardly while held raised by the pin 14, it would not strikethe transmitter 10; but if its front end portion 13 were depressed, uponits frontward movement, the actuator would contact with and move thetransmitter 10 and effect replenishment of filling.

The actuator carrier or slide 4 extends rearwardly of the actuator andhas adjustably secured to its rear end portion a con tact end 15 whichis adapted to enter the shuttle on each detecting beat and contact Withthe surface therein. The contact end 15 may be variously contrived, butin the present instance of the invention it is formed as a plate havingan arm 16 which extends into a guide 17 risingfrom the actuator carrieror slide 4. A screw 18 serves to secure the contact end 15 in adjustedposition relative to the end of the actuator carrier 4.

The feeler carrier 3 extends rearwardly alongside of the actuatorcarrier 4 and projects rearwardly thereof, as indicated in Fig. 1, sothat the rear end. 19 of the feeler carrier Will enter the shuttle andcontact with the surface within the shuttle before the contact end 15 ofthe actuator carrier engages such surface, the effect being that thefeeler carrier 3' will firstbe moved frontwardly in advance of theactuator carrier 4 for the purpose to be hereinafter described,

. and then the surface Within the shuttle will engage the contact end 15of the actuator carrier and under the frontward push, both the feelercarrier and the actuator carrier Will be moved frontwardly.

The rear-end portion of the feeler carrier 3 preferably is formed as ahousing or inclosing chamber, as indicated in Fig. l, and on the feelercarrier is mounted the feeler. In the present instance, the feeler 20 ispreferably mounted at 21 at a point offset from the body of the feelerand preferably within the housing forming the end portion of the feelercarrier, the construction being such that frontward pressure on theprojecting end 22 of the feeler will tend to turn the feeler upon itspivotal support in a direction longitudinally of the shuttle and alongthe surface of the bobbin. The feeler 20 is normally held in its feelingposition with the penetrating end 22 extending rearwardly of thecontacting end 19 of the feeler carrier by means of a spring which, inthe present instance of the invention. comprises a leaf spring 23secured at 24 to the feeler carrier and bearing upon the side of thefeeler.

The rearend portion of the feeler carrier isslotted. at 25 and throughthe slot 25 extends the end 22 of the feeler, the construction beingsuch that the end 22 of the feeler will first engage a surface Withinthe shuttle on a detecting beat and thereafter the impinging end 19 ofthe feeler carrier will engage'the surface and cause frontward movementof the feeler carrier.

The feeler has connected thereto a laterally movable finger which, whenthe feeler is moved in a direction longitudinally of the shuttle, isprojected laterally -ofthe feeler into a position rearwardly of theactuator and in a path to contact with the actuator as the feelercarrier moves frontwardly in advance of the actuator carrier byfrontward pressure on a detecting beat. In the present instance, thefeeler carrier 3 has secured thereto the casing 26 by means ofconnections with the feeler carrier, such as the screws 27. Thecasing 26extends transversely of the feeler carrier and forms a guideway 28 for alaterally sliding finger 29. The finger 29 has a pin 30 exteriding therefrom preferably in a downward direction and passing through an elongatedslot 31 formed in the upper wall of the feeler carrier chamber. The slot31 extends transversely of the feeler carrier and below the slot pin 30is engaged by the slotted end 32 of the feeler 20. the constructionbeing such that when the feeler is moved in a direction longitudinallyof the shuttle, the finger 29 will be caused to slide laterally in itsguideway to project its end 33 into' a position rearwardly of theactuator so that upon frontward movement of the feeler carrier 3 the end33 of the finger will bear upon the actuator and operatively position itto effect replenishment of filling. \Vhen the actuator has thus beenoperatively positioned by frontward movement of the laterally-projectedfinger, the contact 15 of the actuator carrier will meet the surfacewithin the shuttle and relieve the finger of the duty of moving theactuator carrier frontwardly. Thus the parts may be made light, andsensitive either to the presence or absence of filling in the shuttle ona detecting beat.

The actuator 12 has adjustably connected thereto the contact member 34which'may be formed as an adjusting screw to receive the impact of thefinger when it is moved frontwardly in its laterally projected position,as hereinbefore described. The finger 29 by movement in the casing 26and guideway 28 is placed and supported in a manner to operativelyposition the actuator when the feeler carrier. is mqved frontwardly inadvance of the actuator carrier without transmitting the strain throughthe pivot of the feeler. This condition assumes importance in view ofthe fact that feeler mechanisms must be sensitive both to the presenceand absence or substantial absence of filling in the shuttle on adetecting beat, and failure to respond to either condition resultseither in imperfect 'cloth or unnecessary waste of valuable yarn.

filling carrier 35 on which the filling 36 is wound.

lVhen filling is present in the shuttle on a detecting beat, thepenetrating end 22 of the feeler 20 first en a 'esthefillin mass andsinks thereinto as the surface of the filling advances into contact withthe impinging face 19 of the feeler carrier. Under frontward pressureagainst the impinging face 19 of the feeler carrier, the latter is movedfrontwardly until the surface of the filling engages the contact end 15of the actuator carrier or slide 4', whereupon the frontward pressureexerted upon both the feeler carrier and actuator carrier moves bothsaid carriers frontwardly. WVhen, however, filling is substantiallyexhausted on a detecting beat, the end 22 of the feeler again firstengages the surface within the shuttle and under the frontward pressurethereof, the feeler is swung laterally or in a direction longitudinallyof the shuttle from the po sition indicated in Fig. 2 to that. indicatedin Fig. 3, thereby moving the sliding finger 29 laterally into aposition rearward of the actuator 12. As the lay continues to advance,the impinging surface 19 of the feeler carrier meets the surface withinthe shuttle and the feeler carrier is pushed frontwardly, therebycausing the finger 29 to strike and push frontwardly upon the hunter 34of the actuator and move the end 13 of the actuator into operativeposition relative to the transmitter 10. Vhen the actuator has thus beenoperatively positioned, the relation of parts is such that the contactend 15 of the actuator carrier 4 thereupon engages the sur face withinthe shuttle as the lay continues to move frontwardly, and frontward pushupon both the feelerv carrier and actuator carrier moves the actuatorfrontwardly in its operative position, as determined by the frontwardpressure of the finger. Thus, the finger 29 serves to operativelyposition the actuator, but the frontward movement of the actuator afterit is operatively positioned, is effected by frontward pressure of thesurface within the shuttle against the contact end of the actuatorcarrier, thus relieving the finger of the burden of pushing the actuatorfrontwardly to move the transmitter and effect replenishment of filling.This construction renders the feeler mechanism sensitive and quicklyresponsive either to the presence or substantial absence of filling inthe shuttle on a detecting beat.

What is claimed is 1. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combinationof an actuator carrier mounted for movement toward and from the front ofthe loom, a feeler carrier mounted independently of the actuator carrierfor movement toward and fromthe front of the loom and having its rearend normally rearward of the rear end of the actuator carrier, an

actuator mounted on the actuator carrier, a feeler mounted on the feelercarrier for movement in a direction longitudinally of the shuttle on adetecting beat and held from such movement by engagement with the filling until the filling is substantially exhausted, and a finger mountedon the feeler carrier and adapted to be moved by the feeler into aposition to engage and operatively position the actuator as the 'feelercarrier moves frontwardly on a detecting beat when the filling issubstantially exhausted.

2. In a feeler mechanism for looms, a feeler carrier and an actuatorcarrier mounted side by side for independent movement toward and fromthe front of the loom, springs acting on said carriers to normallyproject the rear end of the feeler carrier rearward of the rear end ofthe actuator carrier that it may be moved frontwardly in advance of theactuator carrier by frontward pressure on a detecting beat, a feelermounted on the feeler carrier for movement longitudinally along thebobbin in the shuttle by the frontward pressure upon it on a detectingbeat and held from such movement by engagement with the filling untilsubstantial exhaustion thereof, a finger connected to the feeler andmovable laterally thereby when the filling is substantially exhausted toengage the actuator as the feeler carrier is moved frontwardly.

3. In a feeler mechanism for looms, a feeler carrier and an actuatorcarrier mount ed side by side for independent movement toward and fromthe front of the loom, springs acting on said carriers to normallyproject the rear end of the feeler carrier rearward of the rear end ofthe actuator carrier that it may be moved frontwardly in advance of theactuator carrier by frontward pressure on a detecting beat, a feelermounted on the feeler carrier and pivotally offset for movementlongitudinally along the bobbin in the shuttle by the frontward pressureupon it on a detecting beat and held from such movement by engagementwith the filling until substantial exhaustion thereof, a fingerconnected to the feeler and movable laterally thereby when the fillingis substantially exhausted to engage the actuator as the feeler carrieris moved frontwardly.

4:. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of two slidesmounted for independent movement toward and from the front of the loomon each detecting beat, an actuator carried by one slide, a feeler carried by the other slide and extending rearwardly thereof to receive thefirst impact of a surface within the shuttle on a detecting beat, afinger mounted on the same slide as thefeeler and connected thereto forlateral movement relative to the slide when the feeler is displacedlaterally on a detecting beat to cause the finger to engage the actuatoron the other slide and position it for effecting replenishment offilling as the feeler slide moves frontwardly.

In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a feeler carrier andan actuator carrier both of which are mounted to enter the shuttle oneach detecting beat and .be moved frontwardly by the frontward pressureof a surface within the shuttle, an actuator mounted on the actuatorcarrier, a feeler mounted on the feeler carrier, a finger jointed to thefeeler and adapted to be moved laterally of the feeler carrier into apath to engage and position the actuator due to frontward movement ofthe finger, and yielding means normally acting to project the feelercarrier rearward of the actuator carrier to be moved frontwardly inadvance of the actuator carrier by the frontward pressure of the surfacewithin the shuttle;

6. A feeler mechanism for looms, comprising, in combination, a feelercarrier and an actuator carrier which are mounted to enter the shuttleon each detecting beat and be moved frontwardly in succession by thepush of a surface within the shuttle on both of the carriers, anactuator mounted on the actuator carrier, a feeler mounted on the feelercarrier, a finger separate from the feeler and mounted on the feelercarrier, connections between the feeler and finger for extending thelatter from the feeler carrier into position to engage the actuator andmove it to an operative position as frontward movement of the feelercarrier is effected in advance of frontward movement of the actuatorcarrier by frontward pressure I of a surface within the shuttle on adetecting beat when filling is substantially exhausted.

7. A feeler mechanism for looms, comprising, in combination, a feelercarrier and an actuator carrier which are mounted to enter the shuttleon each detecting beat and be moved frontwardly in succession by thepush of a surface within the shuttle on both of the actuator carriers,'both of said carriers having an impinging end portion to receive thefrontward push of the surface within the shuttle, an actuator mounted onthe actuator carrier, at feeler mounted on the feeler carrier, a fingerseparate from the feeler and mounted on the feeler carrier, connectionsbetween the feeler and finger for extending the latter from the feelercarrier into position to engage the actuator and to move it to anoperative position as frontward movement of the feeler carrier iseffected in advance of frontward movement of the actuator carrier byfrontward pressure of a surface within the shuttle on a detecting beatwhen filling is substantially exhausted.

8. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a feeler slideand an actuator slide mounted side by side, an actuator on the actuatorslide, a feeler mounted on the feeler slide for lateral displacementpressure against it when the filling is substantially exhausted, asliding finger mounted on the feeler slide and connected to the feelerand which is moved to operatively position the actuator by frontwardmovement of the feeler slide in advance of the actuator slide.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

MELVIN L. STONE.

